[SET]
Rain Dance Sweeper (Ludicolo) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Grass Knot
- Hydro Pump / Blizzard
- Leech Seed / Fake Out
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
========
* Ludicolo is one of the best partners to Kyogre. Permanent rain + Swift Swim enables Ludicolo to threaten massive damage before the opposing team can move. Its typing also allows Ludicolo to resist opposing Groudon's and Kyogre's STAB moves and super effectively deal damage to both. Ludicolo's middling Speed can be taken advantage of, as it can work inside Trick Room as well given the rain is not set up. Fake Out is instrumental in helping teammates set up or keep up the offensive pressure.
* Ludicolo struggles to deal significant damage to Dragon-types such as Dialga, Palkia, and Latios. Blizzard can alleviate this problem a bit, as it provides unresisted damaged against said foes. Strong spread damage is usually uncommon but nonetheless helpful for Ludicolo, and Blizzard also helps in retaliating against Abomasnow leads.
* Life Orb maximizes damage, being able to reliably OHKO Groudon and some Kyogre with Grass Knot. In particular, offensive Ludicolo can outrun Timid Choice Scarf Kyogre in the rain and almost always OHKO with Life Orb-boosted Grass Knot.
* Maximum Speed investment makes Ludicolo faster than Choice Scarf base 90s such as Kyogre and Giratina as long as Swift Swim is active. Maximum Speed is also important in the mirror matchup, especially if both Ludicolos carry Fake Out.
* Ludicolo can forgo the Swift Swim ability for Rain Dish, which enables it to operate on Trick Room teams very effectively as well as to recover from Life Orb damage.
* Leech Seed and Protect have great natural synergy, preventing all damage as Ludicolo saps the life out of its foe. This can also soften foes to be finished off by a strong attack such as Hydro Pump. Even if Ludicolo faints or switches out, Leech Seed will still persist and help out the team by increasing their effective bulk.
Teambuilding
=========
* Most, if not all, teams with Ludicolo should have Kyogre as one of their Restricted Pokemon. Their natural synergy of Drizzle + Swift Swim off the bat is very reliable as a lead. One of Kyogre's natural checks is Groudon in sun, and Ludicolo is able to threaten a 2HKO with Grass Knot.
* Trick Room setters such as Dialga and Cresselia can also be very effective when Ludicolo is outside of rain due to Ludicolo's below-average Speed stat. Dialga is an especially good partner for Ludicolo, as it is a great check against opposing Dragon-type Pokemon that Ludicolo commonly struggles against.
* Ludicolo loves getting off a parting Leech Seed before switching out or getting KOed. Pokemon that stay on the field for a long time such as Cresselia and Giratina are prime targets for Leech Seed. Bulky teammates such as Dialga and Metagross appreciate switching into Pokemon hit by Leech Seed for the extra recovery.
* As mentioned, Dragon-types, especially Palkia and Dialga, most commonly give Ludicolo trouble, as they can threaten massive damage with Draco Meteor while not being scared much in retaliation.
* Abomasnow is one of the most consistent answers against Dragon-type Pokemon, especially when under Trick Room. Snow Warning enables perfectly accurate Blizzards for Ludicolo as well. However, opposing Abomasnow can give Ludicolo trouble. They resist Ludicolo's STAB moves, replace rain with hail, and wear down Ludicolo with Blizzards.
* Togekiss can use Follow Me, which shields Ludicolo's would-be targets such as opposing Kyogre and Groudon. Without Blizzard or Hydro Pump, Ludicolo cannot threaten much damage, while Air Slash from Togekiss is a 2HKO.
* When leading offensive Ludicolo + Kyogre, Trick Room Dialga and Iron Ball Groudon + Jumpluff are the most difficult leads to deal with, as your damage is significantly mitigated while your opponent is threatening speed control.
[SET]
Bulky Support (Ludicolo) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 44 SpA / 220 Spe
Calm Nature
- Fake Out
- Leech Seed / Icy Wind
- Grass Knot
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
========
* Bulky support Ludicolo utilizes Ludicolo's great defensive movepool to soften foes for other sweepers such as offensive Trick Room Dialga and Ho-Oh. Despite minimal offensive investment, Ludicolo still has has positive matchups into Kyogre, Groudon, and Tyranitar thanks to STAB Grass Knot.
* Leech Seed is Ludicolo's primary tool at threatening opposing Pokemon. Taking consistent damage at the end of every turn can be an extreme nuisance and force the opponent's Pokemon to switch out. This bulky Ludicolo is much better equipped to make use of the extra healing provided by Leech Seed in conjunction with Protect to stay on the field for longer. Ludicolo's partners still enjoy the added chip damage and healing all the same.
* Fake Out is great to let Ludicolo's partners set up; usually they set up Trick Room.
* Icy Wind is also a worthwhile option on Ludicolo to provide a form of speed control to the rest of the team. Mid-Speed Restricted Pokemon such as Ho-Oh especially appreciate the support.
* Sitrus Berry leverages Ludicolo's good resistances and Leech Seed in order to stick on the field for longer. Even if Ludicolo takes a lot of damage from a single attack such as Palkia's Spacial Rend, Sitrus Berry + Leech Seed can restore a lot of lost HP.
* 220 Speed EVs still let Ludicolo outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Kyogre and similar Choice Scarf base 90s with Swift Swim. Ludicolo is able to use Fake Out before opposing Weavile and Infernape while under the rain as well.
* With a Calm nature and HP investment, Ludicolo can survive powerful attacks from Kyogre, Dialga, and Palkia. The Special Attack investment is mandatory to always 2HKO specially defensive Groudon.
Teambuilding
=========
* While Kyogre is still extremely recommended on teams with Ludicolo, support Ludicolo does not need the rain as desperately, as it does not rely on Hydro Pump for damage or Swift Swim as much for speed control.
* Redirection and fast Fake Out Pokemon such as Togekiss, Infernape, and Weavile can effectively prevent Ludicolo from disrupting foes with Leech Seed and Fake Out. Grass Knot as its only significant form of direct damage makes Ludicolo unable to break through most of these Pokemon.
* Ludicolo is also very vulnerable to Explosion and Self-Destruct. A Ludicolo without Hydro Pump is a sitting duck against a well-timed Self-Destruct from Snorlax or Explosion from Metagross or Azelf.
* Ho-Oh becomes a massive threat when Ludicolo successfully removes opposing Kyogre, Tyranitar, and Groudon. While Ho-Oh's Speed is middling, it makes it flexible for many forms of speed control, including Icy Wind. Ho-Oh also can add on extra chip damage and extend survivability thanks to Sacred Fire burns in addition to Leech Seed.
* Dialga can be extremely potent when paired with Ludicolo. Fake Out can enable it to set up Trick Room, and Leech Seed will prolong Dialga's already great longevity. Dialga also has a rare resistance to Explosion, making it very well-suited to deal with such teams.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tepigace.610903/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/oopsgtg.567986/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/asux.716903/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Rain Dance Sweeper (Ludicolo) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Grass Knot
- Hydro Pump / Blizzard
- Leech Seed / Fake Out
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
========
* Ludicolo is one of the best partners to Kyogre. Permanent rain + Swift Swim enables Ludicolo to threaten massive damage before the opposing team can move. Its typing also allows Ludicolo to resist opposing Groudon's and Kyogre's STAB moves and super effectively deal damage to both. Ludicolo's middling Speed can be taken advantage of, as it can work inside Trick Room as well given the rain is not set up. Fake Out is instrumental in helping teammates set up or keep up the offensive pressure.
* Ludicolo struggles to deal significant damage to Dragon-types such as Dialga, Palkia, and Latios. Blizzard can alleviate this problem a bit, as it provides unresisted damaged against said foes. Strong spread damage is usually uncommon but nonetheless helpful for Ludicolo, and Blizzard also helps in retaliating against Abomasnow leads.
* Life Orb maximizes damage, being able to reliably OHKO Groudon and some Kyogre with Grass Knot. In particular, offensive Ludicolo can outrun Timid Choice Scarf Kyogre in the rain and almost always OHKO with Life Orb-boosted Grass Knot.
* Maximum Speed investment makes Ludicolo faster than Choice Scarf base 90s such as Kyogre and Giratina as long as Swift Swim is active. Maximum Speed is also important in the mirror matchup, especially if both Ludicolos carry Fake Out.
* Ludicolo can forgo the Swift Swim ability for Rain Dish, which enables it to operate on Trick Room teams very effectively as well as to recover from Life Orb damage.
* Leech Seed and Protect have great natural synergy, preventing all damage as Ludicolo saps the life out of its foe. This can also soften foes to be finished off by a strong attack such as Hydro Pump. Even if Ludicolo faints or switches out, Leech Seed will still persist and help out the team by increasing their effective bulk.
Teambuilding
=========
* Most, if not all, teams with Ludicolo should have Kyogre as one of their Restricted Pokemon. Their natural synergy of Drizzle + Swift Swim off the bat is very reliable as a lead. One of Kyogre's natural checks is Groudon in sun, and Ludicolo is able to threaten a 2HKO with Grass Knot.
* Trick Room setters such as Dialga and Cresselia can also be very effective when Ludicolo is outside of rain due to Ludicolo's below-average Speed stat. Dialga is an especially good partner for Ludicolo, as it is a great check against opposing Dragon-type Pokemon that Ludicolo commonly struggles against.
* Ludicolo loves getting off a parting Leech Seed before switching out or getting KOed. Pokemon that stay on the field for a long time such as Cresselia and Giratina are prime targets for Leech Seed. Bulky teammates such as Dialga and Metagross appreciate switching into Pokemon hit by Leech Seed for the extra recovery.
* As mentioned, Dragon-types, especially Palkia and Dialga, most commonly give Ludicolo trouble, as they can threaten massive damage with Draco Meteor while not being scared much in retaliation.
* Abomasnow is one of the most consistent answers against Dragon-type Pokemon, especially when under Trick Room. Snow Warning enables perfectly accurate Blizzards for Ludicolo as well. However, opposing Abomasnow can give Ludicolo trouble. They resist Ludicolo's STAB moves, replace rain with hail, and wear down Ludicolo with Blizzards.
* Togekiss can use Follow Me, which shields Ludicolo's would-be targets such as opposing Kyogre and Groudon. Without Blizzard or Hydro Pump, Ludicolo cannot threaten much damage, while Air Slash from Togekiss is a 2HKO.
* When leading offensive Ludicolo + Kyogre, Trick Room Dialga and Iron Ball Groudon + Jumpluff are the most difficult leads to deal with, as your damage is significantly mitigated while your opponent is threatening speed control.
[SET]
Bulky Support (Ludicolo) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 44 SpA / 220 Spe
Calm Nature
- Fake Out
- Leech Seed / Icy Wind
- Grass Knot
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
========
* Bulky support Ludicolo utilizes Ludicolo's great defensive movepool to soften foes for other sweepers such as offensive Trick Room Dialga and Ho-Oh. Despite minimal offensive investment, Ludicolo still has has positive matchups into Kyogre, Groudon, and Tyranitar thanks to STAB Grass Knot.
* Leech Seed is Ludicolo's primary tool at threatening opposing Pokemon. Taking consistent damage at the end of every turn can be an extreme nuisance and force the opponent's Pokemon to switch out. This bulky Ludicolo is much better equipped to make use of the extra healing provided by Leech Seed in conjunction with Protect to stay on the field for longer. Ludicolo's partners still enjoy the added chip damage and healing all the same.
* Fake Out is great to let Ludicolo's partners set up; usually they set up Trick Room.
* Icy Wind is also a worthwhile option on Ludicolo to provide a form of speed control to the rest of the team. Mid-Speed Restricted Pokemon such as Ho-Oh especially appreciate the support.
* Sitrus Berry leverages Ludicolo's good resistances and Leech Seed in order to stick on the field for longer. Even if Ludicolo takes a lot of damage from a single attack such as Palkia's Spacial Rend, Sitrus Berry + Leech Seed can restore a lot of lost HP.
* 220 Speed EVs still let Ludicolo outspeed Timid Choice Scarf Kyogre and similar Choice Scarf base 90s with Swift Swim. Ludicolo is able to use Fake Out before opposing Weavile and Infernape while under the rain as well.
* With a Calm nature and HP investment, Ludicolo can survive powerful attacks from Kyogre, Dialga, and Palkia. The Special Attack investment is mandatory to always 2HKO specially defensive Groudon.
Teambuilding
=========
* While Kyogre is still extremely recommended on teams with Ludicolo, support Ludicolo does not need the rain as desperately, as it does not rely on Hydro Pump for damage or Swift Swim as much for speed control.
* Redirection and fast Fake Out Pokemon such as Togekiss, Infernape, and Weavile can effectively prevent Ludicolo from disrupting foes with Leech Seed and Fake Out. Grass Knot as its only significant form of direct damage makes Ludicolo unable to break through most of these Pokemon.
* Ludicolo is also very vulnerable to Explosion and Self-Destruct. A Ludicolo without Hydro Pump is a sitting duck against a well-timed Self-Destruct from Snorlax or Explosion from Metagross or Azelf.
* Ho-Oh becomes a massive threat when Ludicolo successfully removes opposing Kyogre, Tyranitar, and Groudon. While Ho-Oh's Speed is middling, it makes it flexible for many forms of speed control, including Icy Wind. Ho-Oh also can add on extra chip damage and extend survivability thanks to Sacred Fire burns in addition to Leech Seed.
* Dialga can be extremely potent when paired with Ludicolo. Fake Out can enable it to set up Trick Room, and Leech Seed will prolong Dialga's already great longevity. Dialga also has a rare resistance to Explosion, making it very well-suited to deal with such teams.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tepigace.610903/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/oopsgtg.567986/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/asux.716903/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
don't worry I got it trust plz (Will be done soon my classes are almost finished)
